SDG Detail

SOCIOL 728 : Family, Gender and the State

Postgraduate course

Project description

This course examines the relationship between contemporary families, gender and the late modern state. It does so, first, through reading and discussing theoretical literature on the family-gender-state nexus. The introduction to this more abstract literature sets the stage for an examination of the family-gender-state nexus through a focus on various aspects of contemporary family life that are shaped by social policies, national laws and state institutions. The aspects of contemporary family life that form the focus of our readings and discussions are likely to change from year to year but may include: the state�s reliance on women�s unpaid care work; parental leave policies and involved fatherhood; laws and policies related to the post-separation 'family�; and family violence laws, policies and interventions.

Year 2022

Location New Zealand

Organization University of Auckland

Project aims

Project outcome

By the end of this course, students will be able to: Be able to critically discuss the contemporary state treatment of families from a feminist perspective, paying attention to gender differences and inequalities as well as how these intersect with other social structures of inequality, for example, ethnicity/race and sexuality. (Capability 1.1, 2.1, 6.1, 6.2 and 6.3) Be able to theorise the way gendered and other axes of inequality are articulated in state policies, programmes and laws and the implications of these articulations for different kinds of families, different family members and everyday family life (1.2, 3.2, 6.1, 6.2) (Capability 1.2, 3.2, 6.1 and 6.2) Be able to analyse and interrogate the influence of state policies, laws or programmes on your own family (your family of origin or in your created family/families) (1.2, 1.3, 5.2) (Capability 1.2, 1.3 and 5.2) Be able to draw on appropriate academic literature to develop and execute a research agenda (2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 5.2) (Capability 2.1, 2.2, 2.3 and 5.2) Be able to write well-researched, scholarly papers about various issues to do with familial life and the way it is treated in policy, law or programmes (2.3, 4.1, 6.2) (Capability 2.3, 4.1 and 6.2) Be able to present this research in written and oral formats and provide constructive feedback on the work-in-progress of peers (4.1, 4.2, 4.3) (Capability 4.1, 4.2 and 4.3)